Sterilizing apparatus.



No. 671,499. I Patented Apr. 9; 19m.

A. v. m. SPRAGUE.

STERILIZING APPARATUS.

(Application filed an 23. 1900.

(No Model.)

2 Shear-Shoot I. I

WITNESSES: INVENTOR,

ATTORNEYS w: mums mas w. PHOTO-LITNQ, WASHINGTON. n. c

UNTTED STATES ATENT OFFicE.

AUSTIN V. M. SPRAGUE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

STERILIZING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 671,499, dated April 9, 1901.

Application filed May 23, 1900.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, AUSTIN V. M. SPRAGUE,

a citizen of the United States, residing in the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in sterilizing Apparatus; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to characters of reference marked thereon,which form a part of this specification. My invention relates to sterilizing apparatus of the kind employed by physicians and surgeons for the purpose of asepticizing surgical instruments, dressings, and other auxiliaries of the surgical operation. A

My present invention consists in an improvement upon the apparatus patented to me under United States Letters Patent No. 583,514, granted June 1, 1897.

One of the objects of the invention is to so construct the means for producing, a vacuum in said sterilizing-chamber and for admitting the steam for the sterilizing process and to so arrange the same relatively to said chamber as to best conduce to the perfect aseptization of the articles to be treated; and a further object of the invention is to provide for such a disposition of the sterilizing and steam-generating chambers of the apparatus as will afford certain advantages hereinafter clearly indicated.

I have fully illustrated my invention in the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts, and wherein Figure l is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of my improved apparatus, certain parts being removed. Fig. 2 is a view in front elevation of said apparatus, certain parts being likewise herein removed; and Fig. 3 is a view in front elevation of a slightly-modified form of my invention.

In said drawings, a designates the sterilizing-chamber, said chamber consisting of a thin sheet-metal and seamless shell which is closed at one end and open at the other.

I) and c are two annular heads. The open- Serial No. 17.675, (N0 model.)

ing in the head I), which is the front one, is disposed eccentrically therein, and the rear face of said head is provided with a flange d, surrounding the opening. secured, by means of rivets e, the outer or open end of the shell ct, the inner surfaces of the shell and of the head being preferably flush with each other. The flange (1 corresponds in shape to the shape of the head b,

whose thickness, it will be observed, is greater at the bottom than at the top owing to the eccentric disposition of the opening therein. The head 0 is provided on its face adjacent the head I) with an annular fiangef. Riveted to the inner surface of this flange at its rear end and also riveted at its front end to the outer surface of the flange d is a cylindrical shell g. By preference the rivets c are em ployed to secure both the shell (1 and the front end of the shell J.

h is a wall which is secured in place against the outer face of the head 0 by means of studbolts 1). This wall is bulged out opposite to the rear end of the shell a, so as to leave a clear space between them.

j designates a nipple, which is riveted to the rear wall of the shell a, in the lower portion thereof, and which projects through an opening in the wall h, in which it rests, thereby acting as a partial support for the rear end of the shell 01,.

. 7c is simply a nut which is screwed onto the nipple and binds against the outer face of the wall it. nipple is tubular, its bore Z connecting with an opening min the shell.

91 designates a third cylindrical shell, which is secured at its ends about the heads I) and c in any desired manner, said shell having an 0 elongated opening 0 at the bottom- At the top of this shell is disposed a funnel or chimney p. The opening 0 is provided in case it is desired to employ a Bunsen burner or other similar heating device, said device being 5 adapted to be disposed beneath this opening, so that the products of combustion can pass up into the shell 11, both sides of the shell C, and out of the chimney p. I do not show such a heating device in the drawings, nor is too anyfurtherreferencetheretonecessary. The arrangement and construction of this kind of To this flange i8 v55 It should be remarked that the device suitable for the purposes are clearly shown in my above-mentioned former patent.

q is a steam-coil, which is disposed in the widened space between the bottom portions of the shells at and g longitudinally of the apparatus, the same extending through the wall it, in the lower portion thereof, and being firmly secured in place by nuts 1' binding against the opposite faces of said wal s designates the door of the apparatus. This door consists of a circular metallic plate whose inner facethat is to say, that portion thereof which'is adapted to abut against the outer face of the head bis perfectly plane, so as to efiect with said head, when the door is properly clamped, in place a perfectly tight joint. tdenotes the hinge upon which this door works, said hinge being secured in any desired manner to the head I), and u is a knob for operating the door. The edge of this door is provided at regular intervals with notches v.

w is a clamping-ring or annulus, which receives the head I) and which may be turned thereon, said head and ring havinga threaded connection 00 between them. The clampingring 20 is provided with a series of lugs or projections g, which project inwardly from its inner face, overlapping the peripheral outline of the door when the latter is closed.

2 represents handles or grips disposed at diametrically opposite points on the clampingring. Bygrasping said handles, and thereby turning the clamping-ring, the door may be either locked or unlocked, it being observed that by virtue of threaded connection between the head and the clamping-ring an inward or outward movement will be imparted to the clamping-ring as it is turned. In closing the apparatus, therefore, the ring is first set so that the notches u in the door will register with the lugs or projections y of said ring. Then when the door is closed the ring is given a turn until, as shown in Fig. 1, its lugs bind against the outer face of the door to clamp it against the head I). In opening the apparatus the operation is just reversed.

In order to make the joint between the door and the head I) the more perfect, the latter is provided with an elastic sealing-ring Z, set in its outer face.

I do not claim in this application the closure of the apparatus comprised in the door and its fittings above described. Said closure is duly claimed in another and copendin g application constituting a division hereof, filed by me July 31, 1900, and bearing the Serial No. 25,421.

As shown in Fig. 3, I have provided means for operating the ring through the medium of a power-multiplying mechanism, which latter might be desirable in case the apparatus is of considerable size. In this case the ring is provided with peripheral gear-teeth 2, and engaging said teeth is the thread 3 of a worm 4, which is journaled in lugs 5, that project downwardly from one of the two castings 6,

constituting supports for the apparatus. One end of the worm carries a crank and a handle 7, whereby said worm may be manually operated.

8 is a tubular fitting which communicates with an opening 9 in the forward lower portion of the shell a, said fitting being riveted to said shell and projecting downwardly through the shells g and n. A nut 10 is arranged on the exposed end of this fitting and binds against the outer shell 02. 11 is another tubular fitting which communicates with an opening12, diametrically opposed to the opening 9 and formed in the shell g, said fitting being riveted to the shell and extending upwardly through the outer shell n. 13 and 14 are respectively an elbow and T-joint carried by the said fittings. From the elbow and T-joint extend pipes 15 and 16, and connecting the free ends of said pipes is another pipe 17, which terminates slightly below the pipe 15. The pipes 15 and 16 are controlled by valves 18 and 19, respectively, and in the pipe 17, at the junction of the pipe 15 therewith, is disposed an ejector 20. (Shown in dotted lines in Figs. 2 and 3.)

21 is a filling device consisting of a funnel having a cook 22, mounted on the T-joint 14.

23 is a water-gage which has communication at its top and bottom with the interior of the shell 9 through the medium of tubes 24 and fittings 25 and 26, projecting, respectively, upwardly and downwardly from the shell g, to which they are riveted, and through the outer shell. The water-gage is provided with valves 25 for controlling its communication with the interior of the shell g and with a petcock 26', whereby said water-gage and the shell g may be drained. The fitting 25 is in two parts, its upper part carrying a safety-valve 27, a steam-gage 28, and an airescape valve 29, all of which have communication with the interior of the shell g.

30 is a fitting which forms a valve-casing having connecting-ports 31 and 32, affording communication between the interior of the shell (1 and the space between said shell and the shell g, said fitting being riveted to the shell 0. and projecting upwardly through the two outer shells. Connection between the ports 31 and 32 is afforded through the medium of a tubular bore 33 of the fitting, and in this bore is arranged a spindle or valvestem 34, having a threaded engagement with the fitting and having its lower end tapered and adapted to seat in the port 31, so as to close the same. Secured to the top of the spindle or stem 34 is a disk 35 for turning it so as to seat or unseat the tapered end of said spindle.

In dotted lines in Fig. 1 I show a connection secured to the nipplej and adapted for the attachment of an air-filtering device, such as is shown and described in my above-mentioned patent.

In operation, water being introduced into the chamber formed by the shell g through the funnel 21, and steam being generated in said chamber either by the coil (1 or by other exteriorheating means, (the air in the chamber being permitted to escape at the valve 29 meanwhile,) when the desired pressure is attained and the articles to be sterilized have beenplaced in.the chamber formed by the shell a and the -door closed and clamped tightlyin place the valves 18 and 19 are opened. so that steam in dischargingfrom the pipe 17 may draw off the air in the sterilizing-chamber by Way of the pipe 15. Steam is then admitted to the sterilizirig-chamber through the medium of the fitting 30, by way of the ports 31 32 thereof. When the sterilization has been carried on the proper length of time, the valve-stem 34 is seated again, thereby cutting off the supply of steam to the sterilizing-chainber. It is now necessary to exhaust the steam of sterilization from the shell a, and this is. effected by again opening the valves 18 and 19, so that the ejector may act. A. vacuum being now formed in the sterilizing-chamber and it being necessary to destroy it, so that the door may be opened, air is permitted to enter the chamber through the nipplej and the air-filter, to which I have already referred.

By disposing the shell (1 eccentrically in the shell g, leaving the greatest interval between them at the bottom, not only is it possible to use a much larger size coil q than can be employed in the old construction, where the shells are arranged concentrically, but it is very convenient by virtue of the enlarged space at the bottom to clean out the sediment that collects there from time to time, and this operation of cleaning out the shell 9 is rendered very simple, furthermore, because the coil being secured to the back wall both may be removed intact, the said enlarged space being thus left clearly exposed for the unobstructed introduction of the implements for removing the sediment. Another and very material benefit is derived from thus disposing the shells eccentrically the one within the other with the maximum interval ofspace between them at the bottom. It is a matter of considerable convenience to the operator where the apparatus is frequently used to have to replenish the water-supply as seldom as possible and not be required to waste time Waiting for steam to generate. In an apparatus of this nature, it may be here remarked, steam-space can wellbe made to give way to water-supply space. The peculiar disposition of the cylinders referred to therefore has special value in that .it considerably increases the capacity of the water-supply of the apparatus, and not only this, but at the same time the use of a heating-coil propor-' tionate in size to the increased capacity of the water-supply is rendered possible, and so the water can be brought to the steam-generating point with quite as much expedition as formerly, if not more. In other words, by

the simple expedient of'disposing the inner shell eccentrically increased water-space and space for an increased size of coil necessary to heat the water so augmented are afforded, while a decrease ofsteam-space, another item of considerable importance in an apparatus of this nature, is produced.

In my previous patented construction the exhausting was eifected from near the top of the sterilizingchamber and the steam admitted near the bottom. Mv present apparatus presents an advantage over this arrangement in that the exhausting is done at the extreme bottom of the chamber, while the steam is admitted at the extreme top. As steam is lighter than air, it will be observed that by the new arrangement the exhausting can be made quite complete and perfect. In

exhausting the air the steam of sterilization may be admitted at little before the exhaustion is complete, thus acting to crowd the air out at the bottom.

7 It will be seen that by means of the fitting 30 the steam is admitted directly from the generating-chamber to the sterilizing-chamber by a passage arranged entirely within the former, and so it is in its perfect condition for effecting the sterilization when it enters the latter chamber. The steam is thus kept at all times within the bounds of the cylin drical jacket of heat-containing fluid wherein it is produced, being exposed to no external condensing influences whatsoever, it being observed that it is one of the important considerations in sterilization of this kind to maintain the dressings, instruments, &c., under treatment perfectly dry.

Having thus fnlly described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a sterilizing apparatus, the combination of two substantially cylindrical shells arranged the one within and spaced from the other, the inner shell constituting the sterilizing-chamber and the outer shell constituting a chamber for the generation of steam of sterilization and for the liquid for conversion into such steam, and also for the reception of a heating device, and means for effecting com mu nication between said shells,said shells being disposed eccentrically with the maximum interval of space between them at their bottom or liquid-containing, and the minimum interval of space between them at their top or steam-containing, portions, substantially as described.

2. In a sterilizing apparatus, the combination of an annular head, two substantially cylindrical shells arranged the one within and spaced at all points from the other and each closed at one end and seen red at its other end to said head, the inner shell constituting the sterilizing-chamber and the outer shell constituting a chamber for the generation of steam of sterilization and for the liquid for conversion into such steam, and also for the reception of a heating device, means for ef- IIO fecting communication between said shells, said shells being disposed eccentrically so as to bring the maximum interval of space between them at their bottom or liquid-containing, and the minimum interval of space between them at their top or steam-containing, portions, and a heating device disposed in said maximum interval of space between said shells, substantially as described.

3. In a sterilizing apparatus, the combination of two shells arranged the one eccentrically within the other with the maximum interval of space between their lowermost portions, the inner shell constituting the sterilizing-chamber and the outer shell constituting the chamber for the generation of the sterilizing medium, means for eifecting communication between said shells, the outer shell being closed at one end, a removable wall for the other end of said outer shell, and a heatin g device carried by and removable with said wall, said heating device being disposed in said maximum interval of space between said shells, substantially as described.

4. In a sterilizing apparatus, the combination of two shells arranged the one within and communicative with the other, the inner shell constituting the sterilizing-chamber and the outer shell constituting the chamber for the generation of the sterilizing medium, an annular head, each shell being secured thereto at one end, the end of the inner shell remote from said head being permanently closed, a removable wall for the correspond ing end of the outer shell, a nipple projecting from said inner shell and penetrating and resting in said outer shell, and a heating device disposed between said shells, said heating device being carried by and removable with said wall, substantially as described.

5. In a sterilizing apparatus, the combination of two cylindrical shells arranged the one within the other and the outer one constitut-* ing a chamber for the generation of the sterilizing medium and being closed, means for closing the inner shell, means for exhausting said inner shell, and means for efiecting communication between the shells, said lastnamed means comprising passages disposed interiorly of said outer shell, substantially as described.

6. In a sterilizing apparatus, the combination of two cylindrical shells arranged eccentrically the one within the other with the maximum interval of space between their bottom portions, heads, one of said heads having a flange shaped in conformity to the space between said shells and said shells being secured to said flange at one end, and the outer shell being secured at its other end to the other head, a removable wall secured to said last-named head, a heating device arranged in said maximum interval of space between the shells, the inner shell constituting the sterilizing-chamber and the outer shell constituting a chamber for the generation of the sterilizing medium, and means for efiecting communication between the shells,said means comprising passages disposed interiorly of said outer shell, substantially as described.

7. In a sterilizing apparatus, the combination of two cylindrical shells arranged eccentrically the one within the other with the maximum interval of space between their bottom portions, heads, oneof said heads having a flange shaped in conformity to the space between said shells and said shells being secured to said flange at one end, and the outer shell being secured at its other end to the other head, a removable wall secured to said last-named head, a closure mechanism for the inner shell, a heating device arranged in said maximum interval of space between the shells, detachably secured to and removable with said wall, the inner shell constituting the sterilizing-chamber and the outer shell constituting a chamber for the generation of the sterilizing medium, and means for cfiecting communication between the shells, substantially as described.

8. In a sterilizing apparatus, the combination of two cylindrical shells arranged the one eccentrically within the other with the maximum interval of space between their bottom portions, heads, one head having a flange shaped in conformity to the space between said shells and said shells being secured thereto at one end, and the outer shell being secured at its other end to the other head, a wall removably secured to said lastnamed head, a tubular nipple communicating with and secured to the inner shell and resting in an opening in said wall, a closure mechanism for the inner shell, means for exhausting said inner shell, a heating device arranged in said maximum interval of space between the shells and detachably secured to said wall, the inner shell constituting the sterilizing-chamber and the outer shell constituting the chamber for the generation of the sterilizing medium, and means for effecting communication between the shells, substantially as described.

9. In a sterilizing apparatus, the combination of 'two shells arranged the one within the other, the outer shell being closed, means for closing the other shell, means for exhausting the inner shell, said exhausting means communicating with said shell at the AUSTIN V. M. SPRAGUE.

Witnesses:

MILTON R. MARSH, WILLIAM E. Buns. 

